The RailStaff Awards 2024

Nominations for Rail Manager of the Year

Christian Irwin

Said the following about Claire Woolford:

“Claire is the Project Manager for the EuroBalise Project, Berks & Hants Renewals Project and the Westbury Time Division Multiplexer (TDM) Renewal Project.

One of her biggest successes has been on the EuroBalise project, which has enabled the introduction of new bi-mode electric trains along the Great Western Mainline. The Project has been hugely challenging however, Claire has proactively led her Team and her Suppliers with excellent collaborative behaviours throughout to ensure Project success, with all sites entering into service to programme and with no issues, working very closely with The Greater West Electrification Programme. The project experienced several scope changes to deal with the evolving electrification staging programme, Claire led the team through this churn to ensure designs were issued to the contractor to meet the tight deadlines.

Jack Bentley, is one of the Signalling Project Engineers who works with Claire. He said: “Over the past two years working with Claire has proven to be a breath of fresh air to the project team. Claire is more than just a project manager, she is a true leader that doesn’t sit and crack a whip to drive the team forward. Claire actively gets stuck in and really pulls and motivates everyone she works with in a positive and supporting manner.

The programme of works that Claire has been working on has been full on and consistent. Constant change has flurried through the door, from changes in programme timescales, to the scope being increased and changing in requirements to existing within 2 weeks of the work being completed.

Without Claire leading the small team Eurobalise would not have been as successful as it has been and would not have delivered to its demanding programme and scope. This programme has not come without its hard times for all members of the team, but Claire has been a solid pillar that everyone has used to support them through their struggles and hard times. Claire has never faulted or failed to deliver and has always remained focused and professional in her role.”

As well as Claire’s EuroBalise success, also in the year she has been:

• Responsible for delivering signalling works at Steventon Road which contributes to the December 2019 timetable change allowing faster services on the Great Western Main Lineand facilitating the first full electric service from Paddington to Bristol Parkway.

• Managing the successful installation of eight Automatic Selective Door Opening site installations.

• Reaching critical development milestones on the Berks & Hants Renewals and Westbury Time TDM Renewal Project.

• Showing her passion about sustainability and has worked with our Contractor Balfour Beatty Rail on a several innovative sustainability initiatives.

Claire joined Network Rail in 2013 fresh from the Military. New to the railway industry she emerged herself into learning about the industry and excelling at her job. She deserves massive credit not only for her work achievements but also in the way she manages herself and her team. She is extremely dedicated, a great leader and motivator for those she works with. Claire has an excellent eye for detail and her knowledge retention is second to none. She is extremely well organised and ensures every ‘i’ is dotted and every ‘t’ crossed.

Mark Bateman who works with Claire said “Claire has a wonderful eye for detail and her knowledge retention is excellent. Her knowledge and respect of all aspects relating to Project Management means there are no gaps left open as everything is covered. She displays immaculate behaviours and always has the customer as her priority. A well deserved and fitting nomination!”

As well as her busy day job she also found time to develop her knowledge further earlier in the year passed her IEMA exam, and strives to encourage getting young people into the Engineering industry; hosting a number of events at Sandhurst representing Network Rail.

Gareth Hurley; the lead sponsor for the scheme describes “Claire is the most thorough and diligent Project Manager I have had the pleasure of working with and her attention to detail and ability to manage the complexities of a new technology project to the Western and Wales Region has been exemplary. What has struck me most is the calm and collected approach adopted despite what appeared to be constant change arising from the challenges of electrifying the Great Western; this would have pushed most Project managers to the limit, but not Claire.

Whilst Claire’s individual talents are clear to see she is also an obvious leader of others in the way she can direct and manager delivery teams, designers and Network rail staff without issues and by being respected. A very valid recipient for Project manager of the year!’“